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Mike Jurecki of XTRA 910 Phoenix is hearing the Cardinals will name OLBs coach James Bettcher their defensive coordinator.

He would be getting the nod over DBs coach Nick Rapone. Bettcher has spent the last two seasons as Arizona's outside linebackers coach, helping to develop Matt Shaughnessy and Alex Okafor. Bettcher would likely only make slight tweaks to outgoing DC Todd Bowles' scheme after working under him. Jan 26 - 4:04 PM

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians confirms he plans to promote from within for his next defensive coordinator.

The Arizona Republic reported as much two weeks ago. XTRA 910 Arizona's Mike Jurecki has reported that DBs coach Nick Rapone is the favorite to replace Todd Bowles, though OLBs coach James Bettcher is also believed to be on the map. Arians has said he'll make a decision by next week. Jan 26 - 2:35 PM

Per Jurecki, OLBs coach James Bettcher is also a candidate. It jibes with the Arizona Republic's Tuesday report that the Cards were likely to promote from within to replace Bowles. Whoever gets the call could be guided along by ex-Steelers DC Dick LeBeau, who appears poised to join Bruce Arians as a "senior assistant." Jan 15 - 7:44 PM

AZCentral's Kent Somers reports the Cardinals would like to promote their next defensive coordinator from within the organization.

Somers threw out OLB coach James Bettcher, CB coach Kevin Ross and DB coach Nick Rapone as names that could be considered. Somers also mentioned coach Bruce Arians is interested in bringing in former Steelers DC Dick LeBeau as a "senior assistant" to help the new defensive coordinator. Whoever lands the job in Arizona will have big shoes to fill. Former coordinator and new Jets coach Todd Bowles led a top-ten scoring defense in both his years at the helm. Jan 14 - 9:55 PM

Niklas is a reserve/PUP candidate after undergoing June ankle surgery. He was listed on the Cardinals' active/PUP list with a hamstring injury, however. Niklas was a non-factor as a rookie, primarily due to injuries, appearing in only seven games. We don't have high hopes for him in Dynasty leagues.